Rise in number of people submitting tax returns on Christmas Day

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that 1,548 people completed their online tax return on Christmas Day - a 40 per cent increase on last year.

Indeed, as many tucked into their dinner or fell asleep on the sofa, more than a thousand people were ensuring they submitted their 2011-12 Self Assessment tax return.

Furthermore, 4,685 filed their return on Boxing Day - a 33 per cent rise on December 26th 2011 - suggesting that more people are ensuring they pay their tax ahead of the January 31st deadline.

To help remind people, HMRC has launched a new advertising campaign through television, print and radio.

In it, the department urges people to find their "inner peace" and ensure they file their 2011-12 return on time to avoid any penalties.

Those who do miss the January 31st deadline will be issued with a £100 fixed penalty irrespective of whether any tax is due, with further penalties issued after three, six and 12 months.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Date published 31 Dec 2012 | Last updated 31 Dec 2012